Traders at Bradford markets could change their minds about whether they want to merge their two sites into one extra-large market now that work has started on the Westfield, a Council committee heard.

Bradford Council is considering whether to combine the Kirkgate Market and Opastler Shopping Centre into a new site, despite the results of a survey of existing traders which found the majority were opposed to moving their stalls.

However, the Council’s Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee last night heard the consultation had been carried out before work began on Westfield’s Broadway shopping development.

Council officer Colin Wolstenholme said it was not possible to know whether this would have changed their responses.

A report to the meeting said, as part of the consultation, traders were asked which of the three options they preferred.

At Kirkgate, a total of 93 per cent of tenants wanted to see any merged market located there and none wanted it at Oastler.

Meanwhile, at Oastler 61 per cent of traders wanted the new enlarged market there and none wanted it at Kirkgate.

Mr Wolstenholme said some of those said they would want a new site to be “as close to Westfield as possible”.

Asked whether he was concerned it appeared stallholders did not want to move, he said the response to the questionnaire was “expected”.

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for culture, added the Council was not able to provide any definitive details about the plans.

"The officer also gave councillors an update on plans for Bradford’s first official city centre Asian bazaar at the old Rawson Market.
He said the “legals” would be finalised by the end of next week, with the tenants moving in at the end of January or February, and it being ready to open by March or April."

You forgot to tell us how long this trial will be for?

"The officer also gave councillors an update on plans for Bradford’s first official city centre Asian bazaar at the old Rawson Market.
He said the “legals” would be finalised by the end of next week, with the tenants moving in at the end of January or February, and it being ready to open by March or April."
You forgot to tell us how long this trial will be for?Avro

A merger of the markets must happen as there are so many stalls now empty not taken up.Some over 5 years.
Leeds Market too struggling where footfall is hundreds more.

Tough times even for market traders who pay Bradford council £10000 a year for the tinyest postage stamp of a stall.

In Bradford it will probably take 20 years if this councils history is a barometer.
The £12 million structure now to be "trialed" ( nobody went when it was last open 10 years back)was built too far out.

You would think given its failure concerns would have been paramount about spreading the retail provision over such a wide area from Forster Retail Park to the top of Darley Street to Westfield,with Darley Street now half empty and whats left never busy.
But no the Westfield baby is ploughed on with.
The filling of the hole may make Gary Peacock and the Midland Hotel happy but we are right to be concerned it will work in changed times from when the scheme was first planned.
If people have not the money to support markets anymore what hope for the likes of M & S Next and Debenhams.

Only time will tell.

A merger of the markets must happen as there are so many stalls now empty not taken up.Some over 5 years.
Leeds Market too struggling where footfall is hundreds more.
Tough times even for market traders who pay Bradford council £10000 a year for the tinyest postage stamp of a stall.
In Bradford it will probably take 20 years if this councils history is a barometer.
The £12 million structure now to be "trialed" ( nobody went when it was last open 10 years back)was built too far out.
You would think given its failure concerns would have been paramount about spreading the retail provision over such a wide area from Forster Retail Park to the top of Darley Street to Westfield,with Darley Street now half empty and whats left never busy.
But no the Westfield baby is ploughed on with.
The filling of the hole may make Gary Peacock and the Midland Hotel happy but we are right to be concerned it will work in changed times from when the scheme was first planned.
If people have not the money to support markets anymore what hope for the likes of M & S Next and Debenhams.
Only time will tell.Ahrmen Aleg

Ferrari17 wrote:
An Asian bazaar? When all the rest were deemed illegal and shut down

Bradford's trading quarter used to be mainly British brand stores, it will.continue to decrease has the population continues to be a diverse and mainly third wolrld and ethnic.mix. Darley Street will continue but it's facades will take on a bazaar look to cater for the back street corner shop traders who are encouraged by our useless City council.

[quote][p][bold]Ferrari17[/bold] wrote:
An Asian bazaar? When all the rest were deemed illegal and shut down[/p][/quote]Bradford's trading quarter used to be mainly British brand stores, it will.continue to decrease has the population continues to be a diverse and mainly third wolrld and ethnic.mix. Darley Street will continue but it's facades will take on a bazaar look to cater for the back street corner shop traders who are encouraged by our useless City council.Banni2